about
Sivan Cotel is a strategic executive and board leader with 15+ years of experience, including a decade+ launching new startups and managing profit/nonprofit governing boards to drive business performance and client service excellence. A Wall Street and startup veteran focused on growing early-stage companies into successful businesses, he is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Mezcalum Mezcal.
Sivan was the Co-Founder of Stonecutter Spirits, which was successfully acquired at the end of 2020. The Vermont producer of gin and whiskey was founded in 2013, and won top industry awards after launching its Single Barrel Gin in 2015 and Heritage Cask Whiskey in 2016 to rave reviews. Both products won the prestigious Good Food Award.
Before launching Stonecutter Spirits, Sivan was previously the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of WhistlePig Whiskey, producer of one of the highest-rated rye whiskies ever. After Stonecutter Spirits, he was most recently the Chief Financial Officer of Siempre Spirits Limited, producer of fine tequila available throughout the U.S. and Canada.
With experience building and developing ideas from concept to fruition, he also offers business strategy consulting focused on operational and business planning for startups and growth businesses. Sivan has helped companies in beverage alcohol, manufacturing, consumer product goods, branding & design, healthcare, construction, and other industries.
Sivan's board work includes:
Current
Member of the Board of Trustees (and current Chair of the Audit & Risk Management Committee) of the University of Vermont Health Network, a nonprofit health care system with $2+ billion annual revenue from six hospitals and home health & hospice across Northern Vermont and Northeastern New York.
Member of the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of New England Federal Credit Union, a financial institution with $3+ billion in assets across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Michigan.
Previous
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Porter Medical Center, a nonprofit hospital and health care system in Middlebury, Vermont.
Member of the Board of Directors of Main Street Alliance of Vermont, a small business advocacy group championing important public policy issues in the Vermont legislature and beyond.
Member of numerous State of Vermont boards and commissions.
Sivan spent the first part of his career on Wall Street at Bear Stearns, J.P.Morgan Chase, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Before working in financial services, he graduated with honors from Wesleyan University with a Bachelor's degree double-majoring in Psychology and Music and a Master's degree in Psychology. Sivan currently lives in Vergennes, Vermont, where he serves as the elected City Auditor.
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